7 DAY BHUTAN MEDITATION TOUR

Today, you arrive at Paro International airport, in Paro Bhutan. Upon your arrival here, you will be greeted and received by your guide at the exit gate at airport. Then you will be transferred to Thimphu and rest at hotel.

Visit Buddha Point located at Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, the 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha makes it one of the largest statue of Buddha in the world. You get to view beautiful Thimphu city and Simtokha valley from top there.

Visit National Memorial Chorten just above the center of the Thimphu city built in memory of third King and consecrated on July 28, 1994. You will see people from all walk of life circumambulation at the Chorten in prayer.  Enjoy yourself with the incredible depiction of Buddhist teachings in the form of paintings and sculptures at this temple. Take lesson on meditation in the evening.

Today morning practice meditation and go for breakfast. After breakfast is Thimphu sightseeing.

Visit Changangkha Monastery one of the oldest monasteries in Thimphu built on a ridge in the 12th century. The Lhakhang houses Chenrizig: an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation of Avolokitesawara as the central statue.

Visit Craft Gallery at the heart of the city where find authentic Bhutanese crafts. You find finest and Buddhist carvings and paintings traditional cloths in verities displayed in stalls for sale.

Visit Simply Bhutan, a living museum and a photo studio with a mission to engage and empower youth entrepreneurs through preservation, promotion and showcasing of Bhutanese tradition and cultural diversity.

Visit Simtokha Dzong about five miles from Thimphu, situated on a lofty ridge, built in 1627 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, take time to stroll through the very first dzong. Treat yourself with the most noteworthy artistic feature in from of over 300 finely worked slate carvings behind the prayer wheels in the courtyard.

Visit Tashichhodzong Dzong built in 1641. The beautiful fort houses central monk body, His Majesty’s office and some ministries.

Today morning practice meditation and go for breakfast. Then proceed to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan, about 3 hours plus drive from Thimphu across Dochula pass.

Dochula Pass at 3,050 meters, offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Himalayas mountain range on the otherside of the horizon. The round top hill has 108 chortens that was built by Her Majesty The Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.

At Sopsokha village a short walk across the paddy field leads you to Chhimi Lhakhang built in 1499. The Drukpa Kinley knows as “divine madman” is a famous Buddhist teacher with his strange ways teaching.  Do not miss the master’s deeds painted on the walls. Temple is also known for fertility temple, people without child has visited this and succeeded in bearing child.

Visit Punakha Dzong, located at the junction of the Pho Chu (Male) and Mo Chu (Female) rivers. The Dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the western region.

Visit Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge just across the Punakha Dzong, it’s a 160 meters and is known for the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. You get to view beautiful village across the bridge.

Today morning practice meditation and go for breakfast. Drive back to Paro valley via Thimphu. Paro valley houses many old monasteries and temples of Bhutan.  The valley offers to view mount Zomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. Take lesson on meditation in the evening.

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7^th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo just like Jambhay Lhakhang in Bumthang to subdue and pin down evil that is against spread of Buddhism.

Visit National Museum (Ta Dzong) on a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong. The Dzong was originally built as a watchtower is now converted as National Museum of the Bhutan.  In 1968, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the first National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangka paintings.

Visit and explore Paro Rimpong Dzong, built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Dzong stands on a ridge above Paro Township.

It is linked by the traditional cantilever bridge (called the Nemi Zam) over the Pa Chu where one may pose a photograph. Experience a walk up a stone paved path running alongside the imposing outer walls.

Today morning practice meditation and go for breakfast. Drive to Haa through Chele La (3,988m). From the pass you can see Paro valley on one side and then Haa valley on the other. You can also have a picnic at Chele La if you like to. In Haa, some sightseeing and then going to katsho village and visiting the Katso Lhakhang. Then you will head back to Paro. Take lesson on meditation in the evening.

Chele La Pass – Start early for the drive to Chele La Pass, which, at 3,988 m, is the highest road pass in Bhutan, snaking upwards through blue pine and rhododendron (Etho Metho) forests for 35 kilometres. On a clear day the view sweeps away to the snow-dome of Bhutan’s second highest peak, Mt Jhomolhari (7,314 m), and down to the Haa Valley, which only opened to foreigners in 2002 due to its proximity to the border with Sikkim and Tibet. For those who rather have a leisure sightseeing day, there is the option to drive from Chele La Pass down the other side to the Haa Valley. In case Chele La Pass is not accessible during the winter months due to ice or snow, your guide will propose an alternative for this day excursion.

Haa Valley – Drive to Haa through Chele La (3,988 m). From the pass, you can see Paro valley on one side and then Haa valley on the other. You can also have a picnic at Chele La if you like to. In Haa, some sightseeing and then going to katsho village and visiting the Katso Lhakhang. The valley of Haa was only opened to Tourist in 2002 and Haa is the least visited valley in Bhutan due to the lack of Tourist infrastructure. This has helped in keeping Haa the way it has always been, with Bhutanese families living their traditional and simple life. There are no tourist standard hotels in Haa valley, so we return to Paro for the night.

Today, take early breakfast take and hike to Tiger’s Nest aka Taktsang Monastery. Take few hours to do meditation there and return.

Taktsang Monastery called as Tiger’s Nest is perched on the cliffs on a big rock on the mountain. It is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex located on the cliff side of Paro Valley. Legend says that Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress to this location from Tibet for meditation in one of the caves. Guru Rinpoche performed meditation, and the place became holy, thus gaining the name Tiger’s Nest.

DAY 7- departure to next destination